Contemplating the Magnificence of God

“The LORD [Yahweh] is robed in majesty… Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty.’ Psalm 93:1,4,5

Glory and praise be to You, O Yahweh, the Majestic One, the Mighty One, the Magnificent One.

Your power is beyond comprehension, far greater than the might of a Tsunami rising out of the ocean, sweeping inland for miles, destroying all in its path. Or the power of the great waves in a storm, pounding at cliffs, tearing them away.

To create the sun, you simply spoke. You made it huge, hot and high in the heavens, spewing out tongues of flame millions of miles into space, burning at temperatures beyond our comprehension, emitting heat and light year after year, century after century, millennium after millennium; you control its heat, its light, its life. And the sun is but one of billions of stars in billions of galaxies that you spoke into existence and sustain by your mighty power.

You, O Lord Jesus, also hold together the nucleus of every atom in the universe, keeping positive forces together when they should push apart (“…in him all things hold together” Col. 1:17). Your strength is beyond what the human mind could possibly begin to comprehend.

In these days of turmoil with many people unhappy, it is good to remember the difference between happiness and joy.

The many unhappy people can tell you that happiness is tied to our circumstances. When things go awry, happiness evaporates like fog in the early morning sun.

Joy, on the other hand continues no matter what, for it is dependent on Jesus, who never changes.

Joy can continue through the worst of circumstances, as Jesus himself showed us. As it says in Hebrews 12, “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, disposing th shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

And in several places Jesus says we can do the same thing. James:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, BECAUSE YOU KNOW that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 

Joy is released by what we know, not what we feel. Matthew 5:11,12 says,  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

 

Again, we can have joy because we know there is meaning, reward and a plan in suffering.

And then there is  Romans 15:13 which tells us how to have and maintain joy: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace AS YOU TRUST in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Joy is always available, and we can appropriate it by trusting Him. Truly, Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!  Let’s live in that truth no  matter what our circumstance are.

Written before the election results are known.

In this time wrought with high emotions, I’d like to share some thoughts. Today most people view their emotions as a guide. How often have you heard the advice, “Just follow your heart?”

Emotions are a gift from God, but His intent is to enrich our lives with them, not guide us. Here are three reasons from observation for which I believe God gave us emotions (He probably has more).

A first reason is that God wants us to enjoy what He’s given us: a beautiful sunset, a pleasant concert, a fine friendship, a delicious meal, a sense of achievement. He likes for us to have pleasure in the good things He’s given.

A second reason is to warn us. Our our negative emotions are like the dash board lights on our car. When the oil light, or check engine light, or battery light comes on it doesn’t mean, “turn right at the next road,” or “go faster,” or “continue straight on.” They all mean, “Something is wrong, do something about it!”

Our negative emotions, like anger, jealousy, greed, fear or hate, are warnings to us, that we are thinking wrongly, following the wrong values, or have a wrong perception. For instance right perspective is, “Let every  man be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19,20). If we follow our negative emotions, we almost certainly will get into trouble. If, instead we heed the warning, back off, think biblically and make a Godly decision, Things  will go much better.

A third reason for our emotions is to motivate us. All of us have been in a discouraging situation, when one person speaks up, “Come on! We can do this; we just have to pull together! What do you say?” Everyone’s emotions are stirred, they get up and move ahead.

And so it is now; whoever wins the election, we know that God has a plan and we can join Him, trust Him,, follow Him, not our emotions.

May we daily spend time with our Lord, our Bridegroom, nurturing our first love for Him, gazing upon His loveliness, focusing on His beauty rather than our busyness. Following is an example of focusing on Him.

“I will tell of all your wonders” (Ps. 9:1b). Great and many are your wonders, O Lord, beginning with your character.

–You are Love, Light and Life.

–In you there is Purity, Perfection, and Power.

–You are filled with Greatness, Grace and Goodness.

–You are Immortal, Invisible and Invincible.

–In you alone are Righteousness, Riches and upRightness.

–You are Mighty, Magnificent and Marvelous.

–You are Holiness, Justice and Mercy.

–You are God, Lord, and Sovereign.

–You are without beginning, without end and without time.

–You are a wonder, you are worthy, to be worshipped.

–You are the One and only God. Glory be to you both now and forever!

Prayer: “Lord, help me to seek your face every day, to bask in the beauty of your character, to fall more in love with you. Then help me to join you in what you have planned for the day, moving in your timing, your power and your wisdom. Amen.”

You, Lord God,  are the great Giver of good, supplying what is needed to keep your children growing, maturing, bearing more and more good fruit. You have provided all that is necessary for living a godly life and for overcoming the evil of the world (2 Peter 1:3).

In your wisdom and grace, your great patience and kindness, you leave it to us, your children, to draw this living water up through our roots by reading, studying, meditating on your Word, to remain in your courts, to abide in the vine and to bear your fruit.

To those of your children who keep their roots down into the water of the Word, you promise: “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” (Ps. 92:14).

As we grow old, lose our physical abilities, have less strength, hear and see less, and may seem to dry up on the outside, we will still bear good, rich, delicious fruit for those around us: the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of good works, the fruit of people coming to Christ—which is just the opposite of what happens if we live naturally rather than supernaturally.

You cause us to remain fruitful so that we can declare “the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Ps. 92:15).

To you be power, might and exaltation, Lord Jesus. You are worthy, you are glorious, you are Elohim, the triune God, the Creator and Sustainer of all.  May we honor you today.